Late Roman Ecclesiastical Synthesis

Frescoes

1. Fresco of a Candelbearer from the Tomb of Aelia Arisuth, 4th c. A.D. (Gargaresch, Tripoli, in situ). The plastic values of the drapery are sacrificed for the sake of flat surface design, and the wide staring look and formalized posture reflect the hieratic tendencies in the 4th century aesthetic.

Panel painting

	1. Encaustic portrait of a lady of the Fayum on a wooden panel, ca. 325-350 A.D. (Cairo: Egyptian Museum). This panel portrait, carrying on the traditional plebeian tradition, does not yet show the stylizations that reflect private art in the hieratic period, but it is certainly expressive.
	2. Two panel portraits from the Fayum, Egypt. The left figure is more traditional, but the right figure reflects hieratic influences in private art, which uses stylizations to convey spiritual excitement.

Miniature painting

1. Codex Vaticanus, Death of Dido from Virgil, beg. 5th c. A.D. (Rome: Vat. Lib.). 17.5 x 17.8 cm. This is one of the earliest surviving miniature paintings from Rome. The rotulus form of writing began to yield to the codex in part because it did not lend itself to miniature painting. Hieratic features: bird's eye perspective; brighter more contrasting color masses to convey emotion; stylized proportions; red frame crowding the dramatic narrative. Typical painterly handling of color.